PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Freshman forward Pier-Olivier Racine recorded his first career double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, but the Fairleigh Dickinson men's basketball team (0-2) fell 96-75 to No. 23/24 Rutgers (2-0) in the 2020 New Jersey Hoop Classic at the Rutgers Athletic Center on Friday night.

Sophomore guard Brandon Rush and senior Jahlil Jenkins each netted 16 points, as they tied for the team lead in points on the night. Rush followed his 21-point outing by hitting 6-of-12 from the floor.
 
"I love my team, I love their spirit but we just don't have enough reps right now to play an entire 40 minutes, especially in a Big Ten arena against a really well-coached, athletic basketball team," said Greg Herenda following the contest. "I really like how Callum Baker has come along and we received contributions from a lot of guys tonight. P.O. showed his ability to compete against top competition but it's not going to happen overnight for us."

"Our players are getting better and doing everything and anything they can for our University, to go out and travel and play and test and practice. I just can't thank our players enough, we're going to be good and these games get us ready for March."

Rush scored the Knights' first five points and Jenkins converted a pair of floaters as the teams traded baskets early in a 9-9 contest.

The Knights went on a 7-2 run over the next two minutes which was capped by a powerful and-one dunk from Racine, which established a 16-11 lead with 15:24 remaining in the first half.

After Rutgers cut the Knights' lead to just three, Rush heated up again as he went on to score eight of the game's next 12 points to give his team its largest lead of the game, 26-19, with 8:45 remaining in the opening stanza.

The Burgundy and Blue held the lead from the 16:27 mark in the first half until the 6:48 mark when Rutgers junior Ron Harper Jr. connected on a three-pointer to tie the game at 26-26. Rutgers closed the first half on a 21-7 run sparked by senior Jacob Young and they carried  a 47-33 lead into the half. Harper finished with a game-high 30 points on the night.

Baker opened the second stanza by having a hand in each of the Knights' first five points as he knocked down a three-pointer and dished out an assist to Racine, who threw down a highlight-reel dunk. The Knights closed to within nine, 62-53, after freshman Joe Munden Jr. connected from in the paint with 13:42 to go but they would not get any closer.

Inside the Box Score

• Four Knights reached double-figures in points (Jenkins 16, Rush 16, Racine 14, Baker 11)
• Baker set career-highs in points with 11 and three-pointers with three.
• Every Knight that appeared in the game registered at least one point.
• The Burgundy and Blue shot 42.6 percent from the floor and made eight three-pointers.
• FDU grabbed 12 offensive rebounds and a total of 33 on the night.
• The Knights forced Rutgers into 10 first-half turnovers and a total of 15 for the game.

Next Up
FDU will play their second and final game of the 2020 New Jersey Hoop Group Classic on Monday, November 30, when they travel to Hempstead, N.Y. to face Hofstra at 7:00 p.m.